Best Kids' Parties: Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour

For Callum's first birthday, we brought a Beatles album to life. Inspired by the Magical Mystery Tour album and movie, we designed a backyard party that was bright, playful, and full of love (because that's all you need, right?).

Invitations: Callum's the walrus - goo goo g'joob! Guests received invitations that looked like the Magical Mystery Tour album cover, but with Callum's face over the iconic walrus face.

Decor: Guests were greeted by a "Penny Lane" road sign and lots of colorful balloons. "All You Need is Love" posters decorated the backyard fence. They were made to look like signs The Beatles themselves once held in a famous photo while on tour. An "All You Need is Love" DIY gold glitter banner also hung above the dessert table. Everyone could be the walrus in a photobooth inspired by the Magical Mystery Tour album cover. We also created a mini Magical Mystery Tour cardboard bus for the kids to play in - they loved it!

Favors: Callum's 1st Year Hits on "vinyl." I put together a mix of songs that Callum and I listened to during his first year of life. I plan to keep up this tradition on Callum's birthday each year. The actual CDs look like vintage records, adding to the retro vibe of the party. Babies at the party were also given colorful bubble wands that looked like microphones (a lucky find from the Dollar Spot at Target).

Food: On the menu were treats inspired by songs on the album: Strawberry Shortcake Forever, Yellow Matter Custard Cakes, Jello Goodbye, Fool on the Haystacks, Your Mother Should Snow Cones, Baby You're a Rich Man Chocolate Coins, Magical Mystery Cupcakes, and I Am The Walrus Cupcakes. The cupcakes were placed on DIY vinyl record cake stands.

When Callum dove into his birthday cake, the song "All You Need is Love" blasted from our backyard speakers. It was a moment he may not remember, but his parents will never forget!